The EU Single Use Plastics Directive

What is it?

New far-reaching EU guidance aimed at reducing plastic marine pollution. It is based on the 10 single-use plastic items and fishing gear which account for 70% of marine litter in Europe.

“The European Strategy for Plastics is a step towards establishing a circular economy in which the design and production of plastics and plastic products fully respect re-use, repair and recycling needs and in which more sustainable materials are developed and promoted.”

What is going to be banned?

OXO-DEGRADABLE PLASTICS. Common in cold cups, cutlery, straws, and carrier bags, and often labelled ‘degradable’ or mis-sold as ‘biodegradable’. These are conventional plastics with an additive to make it fragment into small flakes, but are not suitable for recycling or composting.

EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE food and drink containers – also known as Styrofoam. Very common material in cups, clamshells, plates and bowls.

All PLASTIC CUTLERY, PLATES, STIRRERS and STRAWS. That includes plant-based and compostable plastics, as the Directive is based on how materials behave in the marine environment. Compostable packaging breaks down in commercial composting conditions which provide a perfect balance of microbes, moisture and warmth; these are different conditions to the sea.

When does it come into force?

2021 at the earliest, with different deadlines to achieve various goals. Agreed upon in 2019, EU member states have two years to put the legislation into their own national laws. The UK has signalled it may mirror the EU’s actions, regardless of Brexit.

Does it apply to Vegware?

Cannot sell

Can sell

Pay higher EPR*

CPLA cutlery

✔

RCPLA cutlery

✔

Wooden cutlery

✔

PLA straws

✔

Ecovio straws

✔

Paper straws

✔

Lightweight carrier bags

✔

✔

Beverage cups

✔

✔

Food containers including salad boxes, sandwich wedges & fast-food packaging for fresh or processed food that does not need further preparation.

Reusables plus Vegware

Environmentalists advise greater reuse, but acknowledge disposables have a place.

“A reuseable cup for your beer, but for your falafels, you should probably have Vegware,” according to Richard Dixon, chief executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland.

Many clients now offer a reusable option and use for situations where reusables aren’t practical. With our expert environmental support and ever-growing trade access to composting, Vegware is uniquely placed to help clients achieve their waste ambitions.

Where composting isn’t possible, our plant-based materials perform well in incineration, producing heat but no volatile gases; in landfill PLA remains inert and does not emit methane.